Last night, Lisa and I attended the annual budget 'consultation' evening arranged by the Wessex Federation of Chambers of Commerce with Wiltshire (County) Council. It was our second year at the event ... last year we had come away very depressed indeed, but this year was rather better - partly because we do see some good and positive in what is being said and done, and partly it must be admitted because we went along fearing a repeat performance.

This is going to be a 'big' year. "1C4W" is the headline and it means "1 Council for Wiltshire" - with one tier of local government being swept away and 5 councils being swept into one. And it was the upper tier (the larger council that in essence is taking the others over) who's budget 'consultation' we went to. (You'll note I'm quoting 'consultation' because, really, it wasn't - it was a case of them telling us and asking only for a few limited inputs).

I agree that we have had too many layers of local government - that it's been too hard to know which particular level to go to about certain issues, and that the layers have been inefficient and duplicated. And I hear that "big is beautiful" and that minnows would get squashed or overlooked. However, I think I would rather have carried on working with the team from layer that's being scrapped ... but realistically that's now water under the bridge, and we must work with the county people in sole charge. What did they tell us last night?

1. That their annual spend is projected to be just over 800 million pounds, and how that spend it to be apportioned.

2. That it's going to be a tough year (and why). I seem to recall them saying this last year too, and coming up with a string of reasons, some the same as this time and some different. Curiously (?), some of this year's reasons such as low interest rates which means less money coming in from investments have me wondering "but that wasn't the case last year" and thinking that we're only being told the reasons that things are tough - just being given the bad news, and not the good to go with it to make a rounded picture.

3. That it wasn't their fault that they had money in Iceland (and in any case they technically didn't, because it was the UK subsidiary of an Icelandic Bank) and are currently owed 8 million which they are "hopeful" to get fully back.

4. They want to do lots of good things for Salisbury, Trowbridge and Chippenham ... and not to forget the rural areas. Subject to be continued tomorrow .... (written 2008-11-13)

Associated topics are indexed as below, or enter http://melksh.am/nnnn for individual articles

Z300 - Politics and Religion[4737] Why you should vote for Lisa in Melksham Central - (2017-05-01)[4735] Revisiting - should I stand for Melksham Without Parish Council in May? - (2017-02-24)[4734] Thoughts on the new Blackmore Ward of Melksham Without Parish - (2017-02-22)[4729] The oldest part of Los Angeles - (2016-11-23)[4725] Writing Python 2 such that Python 3 is easy - (2016-11-06)[4720] Celebrating our diversity rather than discriminating for it - (2016-11-02)[4625] Where does Wiltshire bus subsidy money come from? - (2016-01-19)[4614] PC Plod - alive and scaremongering in Wiltshire? - (2016-01-04)[4597] Not standing as your local councillor - (2015-12-18)[4548] Melksham - two small townships, or one big one? - (2015-10-22)[4489] Election results - what if we had a party list system? - (2015-05-08)[4485] Misusing statistics? - the seedy side of election campaigning - (2015-05-04)[4476] Upcoming election - Chippenham Constituency - the major candidates compared - (2015-04-29)[4354] Wiltshire Police - assuming someone is guilty just on the say-so of a member of the public? - (2014-12-16)[4343] Politics and the railway the connects Wiltshire - (2014-12-06)[4286] Reaction in Radstock to new First bus prices - (2014-07-12)[4275] Eurpoean Elections, and other elections ahead. Some thoughts on campaigns and policies - (2014-05-08)[4223] Democracy - alive and well with the beauty pagent starting up again - (2013-12-16)[4079] Melksham Area - Unitary Council results, May 2013 - (2013-05-04)[3921] On rememberance, on war, and on preventing the war cycle - (2012-11-11)[3905] How should we choose our Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner? - (2012-10-27)[3845] Good cause giving - getting the charity beggars off the street - (2012-08-21)[3806] 2011 Census results - initial figures for Wiltshire. - (2012-07-17)[3676] Rising prices, changing habits and society - (2012-03-31)[3592] Are we one man, one vote? No, and we never have been. - (2012-01-26)[3438] Melksham to become a part of Trowbridge? - (2011-09-13)[3325] The Olympic Torch, and Melksham House - (2011-06-14)[3323] Is Melksham town centre dying? - (2011-06-11)[3313] What does our MP do on a Bank Holiday? - (2011-05-30)[3264] Alternative Vote (AV) - explaining and an example - (2011-04-25)[3051] Positively reforming the system - could it be done? - (2010-11-14)[2971] Should the public sector compete with businesses? and other deep questions - (2010-09-26)[2948] Melksham shamefully makes the national headlines - (2010-09-07)[2870] Old prices - what would the equivalent price have been in 1966? - (2010-07-14)[2864] Changing with weather and seasons - (2010-07-10)[2856] Two sides of the coin - (2010-07-06)[2824] A pint of Black Rat, and a lazy barman - (2010-06-25)[2792] Should Government compete with private industry? - (2010-06-03)[2757] Bodicea, Lincoln, and our new MP - (2010-05-09)[2752] Voting day - UK General Election - (2010-05-06)[2740] Melksham Hustings at George Ward School - (2010-04-26)[2712] A more informed decision than ever before - (2010-04-08)[2689] Can my dog eat potatoes? Doggie Dietary Research, and political sleaze! - (2010-03-23)[2640] How is your tax pound spent? - (2010-02-18)[2353] All change - Wiltshire Parliamentary - (2009-08-13)[2288] Wiltshire Community Area Partnerships - (2009-07-15)[2279] Understanding the new local government structure in Wiltshire - (2009-07-11)[2270] Wiltshire - a chance to improve life for everybody - (2009-07-05)[2257] Ramblings on church and state linkage in Melksham - (2009-06-25)[2206] Spot the odd one out - (2009-05-29)[2178] Melksham Candidates for Wiltshire Unitary Election - (2009-05-12)[2075] Supporting Parkinsons and Trains - (2009-03-11)[2028] Things people say on the phone - (2009-02-06)[2012] The Wiltshire Police - (2009-01-29)[1987] One Cheer for Local Democracy - Asda in Melksham - (2009-01-11)[1882] Wiltshire Council says - part 2 - (2008-11-14)[1872] Barack Obama wins US Predidency - (2008-11-05)[1769] July child ponders on August children - (2008-08-23)[1729] Back from the future - (2008-07-30)[1579] Rome, and the faith of Rome - (2008-03-17)[1573] Budget tax increases hit vehicle market - (2008-03-14)[1526] Carers at work - court case changes - (2008-02-01)[1428] Travel Across Wiltshire - the game - (2007-11-11)[1386] New software product for warmblooded programmers - (2007-10-10)[1350] FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) Western Region - (2007-09-13)[1260] An inspirational business talk from one of our prospective MPs - (2007-07-06)[1247] An afternoon at a public enquiry - (2007-06-27)[1175] Local elections - choosing who to vote for - (2007-05-03)[1135] Government pressure on me to shut up after I make the papers - (2007-04-05)[1109] False imprisonment - a contrast from the news - (2007-03-15)[1060] What a relief from the tax office. - (2007-02-01)[1003] Room at the Inn, Guy at the station - (2006-12-21)[967] Realistic on line shoot'em up - (2006-12-05)[875] Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones - (2006-09-22)[780] Separation and Integration - (2006-06-27)[750] Almost everyone loses - (2006-06-07)[696] Is than an uphill or downhill task? - (2006-04-23)[682] Iran has enriched uranium ... - (2006-04-12)[674] Wiltshire to get an extra MP - (2006-04-07)[671] Both ends of the animal - (2006-04-05)[607] On being British - (2006-02-14)[602] MP face to face - (2006-02-12)[539] rich and famous - (2005-12-23)[505] Would you steal ... petrol? ... a training course? - (2005-11-26)[469] Yesterday was Kiss and Ride - (2005-10-19)[415] Campaign Drift and efficiency. - (2005-08-15)[384] Managing conflict and disappointment - (2005-07-20)[377] A Strengthened City - (2005-07-14)[335] Sad priorities - (2005-06-03)[326] UK Tax payment totals and where the money is spent - (2005-05-27)[313] Making bona fide international marriages more difficult - (2005-05-16)[301] General Election day, UK - (2005-05-05)[289] MP for Devizes, Wiltshire - (2005-04-23)[280] Spotted - the local MP - (2005-04-15)[257] Politics gets nasty. Must be an election coming up. - (2005-03-25)[216] Cheap purchase - votes paid for with selfish promises - (2005-02-15)

Z402 - Melksham Chamber of Commerce and Industry[4738] Melksham Chamber of Commerce - my final Presidents report - (2017-05-10)[4672] Annual review of Melksham Matters for Chamber of Commerce AGM - (2016-05-15)[4399] The Campus in Melksham - name, logo, and livery choice - (2015-01-18)[4278] Future Swindon - Westbury train services. At current level into the future? - (2014-05-25)[4170] Herman Miller coming to Melksham - the Chamber of Commerce is briefed - (2013-09-10)[4164] Melksham Market - every Tuesday - (2013-09-03)[4151] Tell me a bit about Melksham - (2013-08-10)[4103] Questions from children about Melksham Campus - (2013-05-26)[4097] Melksham Chamber of Commerce - Report for AGM, 21st May 2013 - (2013-05-21)[4046] Over a hundred welcoming businesses - Melksham Town Centre - (2013-03-17)[4041] Report on the last year - Melksham Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Melksham Without Parish Council - (2013-03-11)[4014] Costa Coffee in Melksham - is it a good idea? - (2013-02-22)[4002] Images of Melksham you havent seen before - (2013-02-13)[3987] Melksham Chamber of Commerce - join us in our future - (2013-01-21)[3948] Quiet little town? Advanced Technology Centre? - (2012-12-08)[3889] Melksham Chamber of Commerce - whence in 2013 and beyond? - (2012-10-12)[3880] Chamber of Commerce - looking forward in Melksham and in Wessex - (2012-10-04)[3867] The difficult interface between the business, council and voluntary sectors - (2012-09-19)[3850] Bus times - Chippenham Station to Melksham, with London connections - (2012-08-25)[3818] Making things happen - litter and ASB and lost dogs in Melksham - (2012-07-25)[3812] The Melksham News - July 2012 - Part 1, Campus and Chamber of Commerce - (2012-07-22)[3787] Melksham Pride - the Chamber of Commerce, and the future - (2012-06-29)[3768] Melksham Chamber of Commerce - looking to our future shape. Pivotal meeting next Tuesday - (2012-06-19)[3767] How well do you know Melksham? - (2012-06-17)[3752] Melksham Visitors Map - Bus routes and train lines to and from the town - (2012-06-04)[3751] Public transport for international arrivals into Melksham - (2012-06-04)[3748] Not everyone has a computer - 9 more ways to learn about the Melksham Campus - (2012-06-03)[3739] Go green - business seminar in Melksham - (2012-05-21)[3732] Ten more visitors to your premises every day? - (2012-05-14)[3714] Just 12 winners? Or 371 or more? Town Centres. - (2012-04-30)[3710] Encouraging business in Melksham and its neighbourhood - keep business local?? - (2012-04-27)[3706] An exciting Chamber of Commerce AGM - sound like an Oxymoron? - (2012-04-25)[3700] Why do people use chains rather than independent traders? - (2012-04-18)[3697] Events in Melksham - read all about them, and tell us about yours - (2012-04-15)[3696] Melksham government and business organisations - (2012-04-14)[3693] Wiltshire Business Support Service - (2012-04-11)[3682] Melksham Business Newsreel - (2012-04-03)[3677] Some advise for guest speakers at meetings - (2012-03-31)[3672] Melksham Train Service - please support the TransWilts case for regular trains - (2012-03-25)[3663] Changing shops and organisations - Melksham, the last and next five years - (2012-03-21)[3627] Meeting Report - Tuesday 21st Feb - to Melksham Chamber of Commerce from Shadow Community Operations Board - (2012-02-27)[3598] Melksham Civic Awards - report and pictures - (2012-01-29)[3560] Melksham, Month by month through 2011 - (2011-12-23)[3527] Melksham - changing times, an opportunity for the future - (2011-11-23)[3496] Melksham - Business to Business Speed Networking - build ahead for 2012 - (2011-10-26)[3495] Looking forward - Chamber of Commerce has 2012 and beyond on the agenda - (2011-10-26)[3492] Upcoming events in and about Melksham - more dates for your diary - (2011-10-22)[3481] Some thoughts in answer to some Melksham Campus questions - (2011-10-14)[3475] Havant - Shop Frontages. - (2011-10-12)[3470] Currently pictured in Melksham - (2011-10-09)[3427] What is on the Melksham Agenda? - (2011-09-09)[3423] 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 12? - (2011-09-07)[3420] Making best use of the new enthusiasm for Melksham - (2011-09-05)[3383] Are people who walk into Melksham being asked to subsidise parking? - (2011-08-09)[3380] Melksham Jelly - An Occasional Office for Home Workers - (2011-08-06)[3343] Summer Sunday Train Service Starts - Swindon Chippenham and Melksham to Weymouth - (2011-07-03)[3340] Summer Sunday Timetable - TransWilts Trains - (2011-06-30)[3334] A lesson from the sporran market? - (2011-06-25)[3307] Melksham Community Radio launches - (2011-05-28)[3299] Presidents Report to Melksham Chamber of Commerce, 24.5.2011 - (2011-05-24)[3279] Letter to The Editor - (2011-05-06)[3275] Melksham Chamber of Commerce - grows to appoint new Press Officer. Welcome. Sam - (2011-05-02)[3272] Melksham Car Parking - current charges and limits - (2011-05-01)[3249] Events - Spring and Early Summer 2011 in Melksham - (2011-04-17)[3246] Melksham - the way forward. 26th April, Well House Manor - (2011-04-13)[3217] Vandalism and riot from the minority - the effect - (2011-03-28)[3214] Melksham Campus - any last minute inputs from Melksham businesses? - (2011-03-26)[3193] Melksham Campus - what, why, questions, concerns and how you can input - (2011-03-04)[3188] What proportion of the British Workforce still works a Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, week? - (2011-03-01)[3173] What is the Melksham Chamber of Commerce? - (2011-02-18)[3172] On consultations, car parking, and Melksham town centre - (2011-02-17)[3162] Keep your business customer-friendly! - (2011-02-09)[3141] Wiltshire Rail services - a golden opportunity - (2011-01-21)[3117] Opportunities for Melksham - new businesses in the town - (2011-01-01)[3113] Trowbridge and Melksham to Chippenham - more roadworks, even slower journey over the winter - (2010-12-30)[3088] Melksham - two many councils? - (2010-12-16)[2995] A river in Melksham is not just for boaters. - (2010-10-11)[2982] Travel, Transport and Tourism - A vision for Melksham, 2026 - (2010-10-03)[2959] A Melksham news roundup - (2010-09-18)[2957] Welcome to Countrywides new Melksham store - (2010-09-15)[2932] Getting into and out of Wiltshire towns .. a.k.a. Car Parking? - (2010-08-23)[2891] Wiltshire Council ask how they can help businesses - (2010-07-27)[2883] Melksham Oak - photos of the new community school - (2010-07-22)[2872] Moved - Melksham Lorry Park - (2010-07-15)[2867] Cycling in Melksham, and looking forward - (2010-07-11)[2853] Transport in Wessex - today and into the future - (2010-07-04)[2837] Lorry Parking in Melksham - (2010-06-29)[2827] Melksham - a gem in Wiltshire - (2010-06-26)[2782] Tell the Melksham Chamber or you only have yourself to blame - (2010-05-26)[2779] The history and future of Melksham Chamber of Commerce - (2010-05-25)[2770] Melksham Chamber of Commerce - Presidents report to AGM - (2010-05-19)[2725] How do our tactics help us meet the strategy, for the greater good? - (2010-04-16)[2683] Car Parking in Melksham - (2010-03-18)[2666] Random thoughts on Melksham Town Planning and development - (2010-03-08)[2594] Melksham Area - your community view is sought - (2010-01-23)[2568] Forums for your Melksham and open source discussions - (2010-01-09)[2546] How well do you know Melksham - a quiz for Christmas - (2009-12-21)[2544] Vision for Wiltshire - (2009-12-20)[2540] Rock and hard place .. and the relaxing right one won - (2009-12-18)[2531] Melksham - new Tuesday Market - (2009-12-09)[2521] Melksham Market - Tuesdays, 09:00 to 14:00 - (2009-12-01)[2514] The road show has been - where now? - (2009-11-27)[2508] Community Area Partnership - inaugural AGM - (2009-11-20)[2495] Planning the future of Wiltshire - (2009-11-07)[2487] Melksham Forum - (2009-11-01)[2465] Melksham Town - asleep or awake? - (2009-10-21)[2459] New Web Site for Melksham Chamber of Commerce - (2009-10-18)[2437] Wiltshire Unitary News - Chamber of Commerce Intelligence - (2009-10-04)[2328] Melksham - no trains, no southbound buses through the town - (2009-08-08)[2289] pre-Inaugural briefing - Melksham Community Area Partnership - (2009-07-15)[2260] Important - the future of Melksham / Chamber of Commerce - (2009-06-28)[2220] Melksham Traders - where do we go? - (2009-06-05)[2194] Melksham Business Map - Chamber of Commerce, Tourist Information and Town Council - (2009-05-21)[2181] You cannot please all of the people all of the time - (2009-05-14)[2119] Make your business a DESTINATION business - (2009-04-05)[2111] Business Networking for Melksham - 23rd April - (2009-04-01)[2095] Blue Ridge and Melksham Chambers of Commerce - (2009-03-21)[2043] Confidence, Customer Service and Tourism in Melksham - (2009-02-15)[1979] Looking forward, in Melksham, in 2009 - (2009-01-05)[1934] Lidl opens in Melksham - (2008-12-11)[1904] Ruby, Perl, Linux, MySQL - some training notes - (2008-11-23)[1892] Melksham Chamber of Commerce and Industry - (2008-11-17)[1880] Melksham Chamber of Commerce, or the FSB - (2008-11-12)[1792] All the pieces fall into place - hotel and courses - (2008-09-10)[1748] Hotel room prices - Melksham, Wiltshire - (2008-08-11)[1642] Summer! - (2008-05-15)[1633] Changing a screen saver from a web page (PHP, Perl, OSX) - (2008-05-06)[1507] Comments on proposed Asda Superstore for Melksham - (2008-01-14)[1504] Flooding by Asda-s proposed new supermarket - (2008-01-12)[1476] Shopping for Christmas and looking forward - (2007-12-17)[1432] Wiltshire County Council - Budget Consultation - (2007-11-15)[1429] Remembrance day - inside a church and inside the day - (2007-11-11)[1250] Business speed networking - a place tonight! - (2007-06-28)[1223] Asda opening large new store in Melksham - (2007-06-08)[717] A customer service company - (2006-05-11)

This is a page archived from The Horse's Mouth at
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